Spain, France and England lead the way as betting favourites as the start of the FIFA World Cup fast approaches
Hard to believe, but it’s a little less than a month until it gets real for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Mexico and South Africa kicking it off June 11 at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City, 3 p.m. EST.
The next day in Toronto, Bosnia-Herzegovina plays Canada at BMO Field in Toronto, with a 3 p.m. EST start time.
In World Cup betting at Betway, Canada’s the favourite, at -143, Bosnia and Herzegovina +320, Draw +300.
Mexico, U.S. and Canada are hosting the World Cup, with six matches scheduled for Toronto, seven in Vancouver.
The U.S. makes its tournament debut June 12 as well, against Paraguay, 9 p.m. EST at SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, California.
BC Place in Vancouver hosts Australia versus Turkey June 14, Canada versus Qatar June 18, New Zealand versus Egypt June 21, Switzerland versus Canada June 24, New Zealand versus Belgium June 26, Group B Winner versus Third Place Group E/F/G/I/J July 2, Round of 32 13 Winner versus Round of 32 15 Winner July 17.
BMO Field also hosts Ghana versus Panama June 17, Germany versus Ivory Coast June 20, Panama versus Croatia June 23, Senegal versus Iraq June 26, Group K 2nd Place versus Group L 2nd Place July 2.
Spain, France, and England are betting favourites one month out, after strong qualifying and Nations League performances.
At Betway, Spain is the betting favourite, at +450, followed by France +550, England +650, Argentina +800, Brazil +900, Portugal +1000, Germany +1200, Netherlands +2200, Norway +2800, and Belgium +3300.
The USA is +8000, Canada +15000, and Mexico is +6600, at Betway.
A big reason for Spain and France being No. 1 and No. 2 is Kylian Mbappe (France) and Spain phenom Lamine Yamal.
Betting on traditional favourite Brazil has drifted, because of injury concerns.
The bracket path is more forgiving this time out, with the expanded 48-team format. That opens the door to teams like Canada, Senegal, Japan, and Ecuador to surprise, generate upsets.
Golden Boot prop action on Mbappe, Harry Kane (England), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Erling Haaland (Norway), and Vinicius Junior (Brazil) are popular betting targets. There’s money coming in on Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), 41, for the Golden Boot.
For Canada, the news that Alphonso Davies is going to be out another four-five weeks with a hamstring injury makes the Bosnia match much more challenging for them, if you’re a team looking for its first-ever World Cup win, looking to get beyond the group phase.
The most optimistic development for Davies is at least 4 weeks, which rules him out in terms of starting. Can he be involved off the bench? Davies just came back from a long ACL layoff and hasn’t played for Canada since March 2025. How good will he be if he can even make it back?
Richie Laryea comes in at left back to replace him. Defensively he’s good, quick, although he doesn’t have that world class quality Davies brings.
Injuries like the one to Davies are moving the betting markets daily. Brazil has been hit hardest, and their price has lengthened – Rodrygo, out with a torn ACL and meniscus, and Éder Militão sidelined with a hamstring injury, weakening their attack and defence.
Hugo Ekitike (France) has a torn Achilles tendon and is out long term. Serge Gnabry (Germany) has a torn adductor and is out. Xavi Simons (Netherlands) has a torn ACL and is out.
Public bettors are going to overvalue the host nations, something sportsbooks will be watching closely.
Yamal has a partial hamstring tear, and is expected to recover in time, but fitness will be a question. Mbappe had a hamstring issue but looks fit to play.
